Living Hope

Joel 2:32

One of the hallmarks of the Lutheran Reformation over 500 years ago are 3 phrases that center people back on the main message of the Bible. The phrases are “Grace Alone, Faith Alone, and Scripture Alone.” Today we get to look at the concept of “Faith Alone” as the prophet Joel clearly points us to faith in our saving God that delivers us! It’s Reformation Sunday with a Joel twist!

This service walks through the whole book of Joel in 6 devotions.

When disaster strikes—when the world feels stripped bare and life seems out of control—where is God? The book of Joel begins with devastation: locusts, drought, and despair. Yet through the chaos, God speaks with surprising clarity. Joel calls God’s people not to panic, but to return—to repent, to renew hope, and to rediscover God’s faithfulness.

In this series, Clarity in Calamity, we’ll journey through Joel’s powerful message of warning and restoration. We’ll see how God uses crisis to call his people closer, how repentance opens the door to renewal, and how the promise of the Spirit gives hope beyond destruction.

Even in the ruins, God’s voice cuts through the noise—offering direction, mercy, and a future filled with his presence.

Luke 21:5-19

We can reject a victim mentality and instead live with the confidence of Christ’s victory. Jesus warns his followers that persecution, betrayal, and hardship will come—not as signs of defeat, but as opportunities to bear witness to his love. Rather than reacting with anger, fear, or vengeance, Christians are invited to model the patient endurance of Jesus, who conquered not through power but through sacrificial love. Believers show true strength when they serve and forgive even in suffering. Because Christ, the ultimate innocent victim, rose in triumph, his people are not victims of the world’s hatred but victors through his grace. By trusting his promises and enduring with faith, we testify that love—not retaliation—wins the day.

Luke 17:1-10

If we want to walk more closely to Jesus as we follow him as disciples, then that’s going to lead to an increase of responsibility, an increase of duty, for us. In Luke 17 Jesus wants us to think more intently about 4 aspects of discipleship: temptation, forgiveness, faith, and humble service.

Luke 16:19-31

This week we’ve got a difficult story from Jesus. But it’s not difficult because it’s unclear. Rather, what makes it so difficult is how strikingly clear it is. There are lots of little details in this story that could distract us and Jesus doesn’t want everything in the story to be taken 100% literally. But there are some obvious big takeaways. The most unsettling one is that there will be a divide, an uncrossable chasm in the end between the righteous and the wicked, between heaven and hell. And there will be no “switching sides,” no “second chances” after death and after someone’s time of grace in this world runs out. Jesus’ story of the rich man and poor Lazarus is a warning, if nothing else. A warning about where one puts their confidence. Is our confidence in wealth or the Word?

Luke 16:1-13

There are more than 2,300 Bible passages that speak about money. Why? Money is a master Satan frequently tempts us to serve. In fact, out of all the masters competing for our service besides God, money is probably at the top of the list. Money provides us with a false comfort

and sense of security. Money serves as a source of pride. This week, Jesus’ sharp words identify the impossibility of serving more than one master. More, Jesus teaches that if we dedicate our lives in service to money, money will always let us down. In contrast, God has proven that he is a master worth serving. When we serve God, money is put in its proper place. Instead of it being a master to serve, it becomes a tool in our service of our true Master.

Luke 15:1-10

Wandering around physically lost can lead to winding up in bad places. Jesus’ wounding words this week teach that wandering around spiritually lost puts you in the worst place of all. Fortunately, Jesus does not leave us in our lostness. He relentlessly seeks us. He involves the rest of the Christian community in seeking the lost and rejoicing over the found.

Luke 14:25-35

Jesus explains that following him will be hard. Jesus’ disciples will be called to let go of things they love and embrace things we naturally loathe. Jesus promises that discipleship comes with crosses—a unique type of pain. So, Jesus tells us that we must count the cost of following him. He wants us to do that now, ahead of time, rather than waiting until we are in the heat of the moment and emotions are running high. However, our calculations must not only consider what we might give up for Jesus. They also entail calculating what we get through him! As we assess what we have apart from Jesus compared to what we find in him, the outcome of our

calculations will be obvious. Whatever is lost as we follow Jesus pales in comparison to what we gain.

Luke 14:1, 7-14

Jesus’ sharp words this week teach us that seeking exaltation in futile and fleeing ways will only result in receiving the opposite. Those who attempt to exalt themselves will eventually be humbled by God. In contrast, Jesus promises that those who leave their exaltation to God will

receive honor and glory far greater than any that can be awarded in this life. Our exaltation does not need to be our responsibility, because Jesus has already made it his.

Luke 13:22-30

There is just one door to heaven, and it is narrow. As a result, Jesus says that we “must make every effort” to enter through it. This does not mean, however, that our good works are the price of admission. It is just the opposite in fact. Because the door is narrow we must enter empty-handed. We will not fit through the door if our hands are full.